During a very cordial portion of what proved to be a quite contentious Selma City Council meeting earlier this week, the campaign for three Selma City Council positions and one Selma City School Board position came to a quiet conclusion.

When candidate qualifying for the upcoming municipal elections closed on Tuesday, July 17, incumbent city council members Sam Randolph, Greg Bjelke and Cecil Williamson learned they did not have a competitor, and thus were automatically re-elected. Such was the case too for Selma City School Board member Dr. Udo Ufomadu, who proved to be the lone member of the current school board who did not face any opposition.

As part of the process, the council unanimously approved each member’s re-election, clearing the way for the rest of those on the council and school board to fight for their seats on Aug. 28.

“I am honored and humbled with the opportunity to return to the council, representing Ward 1,” Williamson said. He is set to return to the seat he held before moving to the Selma City Council President post after the death of Geraldine Allen. Current Ward 1 council member Tommy Atchison, decided months ago not to seek re-election, leaving the seat open.

As for Randolph, he returns to the council, representing Ward 5, a ward that saw significant changes in the redistricting effort.

“As always, I am pleased to serve the residents of Ward 5 and am available to them at any time,” Randolph said.

Bjelke, who on a special election just over a year go to take the Ward 3 position on the council, was automatically re-elected when no one qualified to face him in August.

“I am beyond thrilled,” Bjelke said moments after the council unanimously approved his re-election. Jokingly he said, “I am not sure if those in Ward 3 think I’m doing such a good job for no one to run against me, or they’re not sure if I’ve had enough time to screw up. I hope it’s because I’m doing a good job.”

On Friday, the Selma City Council announced a specially called council meeting for Monday, July 30 at 5 p.m. to address a situation surrounding the Selma City Hall’s air conditioning system.